This is a question for IF we got this started...but if we did, could we also have scores that result from matches and regional results and such on the database? This system could really make scouting easier if there was support...
I think when scout teams realize how much easier this makes their job they'll want to help...

If you look at http://fbi.feds201.com , you’ll see that the match results for the teams are there. (Minus Nats) That data comes directly from usfirst.org. I just have a php script that parses the data. I’m glad that more people like this idea. I think I may directly contact a few key teams to get their support. Also, I may go to the programming forum and ask if anyone there is interested. I’ll post more later… I’m in school and gotta go.

Jack

Ah thanks. Our team hasn't been having meetings or anything lately, but I'll let them know at the party. Hmm... I can try to see if they'll talk to friends on other teams too to see if there'd be support from them.

I think doing this in the style of an open source type system would be the most efficent way of doing it. Having all of the source code open so that anyone can develope a new front end for the database would be great. And different teams could have the database running on their sites but it would all be the same data so for example is team a and team b are using the standard scouting system and team A is at the silicon valley regional and team b is at great lakes then when they both get to the big event they can download each others data and they will have the same stuff... or we could just go with having some central database that holds it all.

If in addition there was some way to incorperate the WASH system or come up with a system like WASH for match scouting that would add tremendous capabilities to the system. Once again if the whole thing was somehow open sourced and made so that even if someone wrote a program in Access you could somehow import it into the master database just as easily as if someone was using a big web based database system.

I think this is the idea that jack envisioned and i had also been thinking of a similar system.


If it was all open sourced teams could customize it for their needs as well as having what everyone else is using as the standard stuff. Allowing each team to use the system to its full potentional or as little as they need.

Granted i know almost nothing about databases so i dont know much about the technical aspects of all of this but i am thinking that by using something that is standard like XML or something along those lines it could be achieved in some manner or form.

Along the lines of the open source type idea i also feel it shouldn't nessacarily be associated or run by any one team but rather by the greater FIRST community. That would enable more people to freely give as much or as little input as they wanted and it could be developed and used by everyone equaly. This might be hard due to money issues and storage/server space but i'm sure if we try hard enough we could accomplish it.

I will help in whatever way needed :-)

oneangrydwarf hit it on the head pretty well. The idea is to draw in data from various sources, then compile it into one easily searchable database that will let people view data from multiple sources all at once. That way, you'll be able to see data from all the big online databases, but all in one easily accessible place. Each database would output pre-defined data fields in a standard format, then they would be integrated into a unified viewing system. A pre-made "client" of sorts could be made available, but any system (FMPro, Access, or whatever) could be used, so long as it could export a file of the proper type (XML or something else).

The real key, though, is getting everybody on board. One team will likely have to take the lead, simply from an organizational standpoint, but the FIRST community will have to assist and support this venture, or it will never go anywhere.

This is a great idea, I can't speak for my whole team but I'm willing to help in any way I can.

There is only one problem I can think of, how to combine data from different programs. I think this is one of the most important features of this network. I think other previous attempts (SOAP etc.) have not done well because they require a specific program or the Internet.

(I'm going to think positively and say when )
When this network is created I think it should contain every possible feature so no team is turned away by the lack of something.

I can't wait to help, I'm most interested in helping develop the different categories and creating an MS Access version.

Jack has the right idea getting started early and trying to get as much done ahead of time. It would be great if the project was up and running in a basic version so come kick-off all that has to be done is customize it to the game.

Lindsey

I know that a lot of teams (like mine) don't have a way to store it electronically at the competitions - I think 818 had a total of two laptops, neither of which were supposed to be used by students. We didn't have any computer access while we were at the WestMI Regional. If the database does come into existence, do you need help developing a paper version? It would be great for teams with limited resources, and if we have a standardized form, teams could print off extras and hand them out to those who need them.

Believe it or not, I'm serious...

ok... I hate vB & the img limit. :)

I had a great post, but i put too many :) in my last post, so it didn't get posted and then IE didn't save it. Oh well....

Summery:

A) Open source - a must :)
B) Different collections - a must
C) Use a common format for export/import - Yup... XML


I'm going to make another thread where people can throw up their ideas... no idea is wrong & all will be included in the beginning. These might also be called "goals" of this project. I'll take all the ideas here and put them in my first post. Then as more ideas get added, i edit my first post to keep a running list. Also, ideas may be mutually exclusive, but that's ok for now. :)

Lastly, this forum is only named the FIRST Scouting Network for now until we "name" this. Once we do, I'll have it changed.

So.. Start the juices flowing... This system will only be as good as we make it.

Jack & The Average FIRST Scouter